TransCanada Making New Push for Keystone XL Pipeline Through Nebraska

TransCanada has decided to withdraw its eminent domain claims to the land on the Keystone XL pipeline's proposed route and instead seek approval though Nebraska's Public Service Commission. This step could circumvent one of the major roadblocks for the project, but it could also add lengthy delays to the project and the process.

Back in 2013 Nebraska's governor approved the Nebraska pipeline route under state law that allowed TransCanada to use eminent domain against holdout landowners. However, opponents then sued causing the project to be caught up in the state court system.

Legal experts say TransCanada may have decided not to risk a legal battle to try and uphold the 2013 pipeline-siing law.

The case is set to go to trial on October 19.

Another state law that imposes a two-year waiting period on new eminent domain proceedings if the original one is abandoned could cause the project to be delayed further; however, TransCanada is arguing the law doesn't apply because the company withdrew its lawsuits against landowners before the proceedings were officially considered abandoned under state law.

(more on the legal battle over the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska...)